Dredge top closure spouts



April 1, 1958 J. ZIMMERMAN DREDGE TOP CLOSURE SPOUTS 2 Sheets-She et 1Filed Nov. 20, 1956 FIG. 4.

F IG. 7.

INVENTOR. JACK ZIMQMERMAN FIG. 9.

FIG. 8.

ATTORNEY April 1,1958 J. ZIMMERMAN DREDGE TOP CLOSURE SPOUTS 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed. Nov. 20. 1956 INVENTOR.

JACK ZIMMERMAN ATTORNEY DREDGE T? CLOSURE SPOUTS lack Zimmerman, NewYork, N. Y.

Application November 28, 1956, Serial No. 623,423

lil Claims. (Cl. 222-480) This invention relates to closure spouts ofthe category adapted for use with containers having therein powdered orgranular material.

It has been a common expedient to employ retractable closure devices oncontainers, whereby upon an operative retraction thereof the powdered orgranular material could readily be dispensed through a suitable openingin the container, such devices being movable between re tracted andclosure positions by manual manipulation. Some of these devices are ofthe pivotal disk type, in which the disk is swung through an are about asupporting pivot, to move the closure member between its two limitingpositions. Such devices have been found unsuitable, first because theydo not always provide a leakproof closure, and second because they arefrequently not adaptable for dispensing powdered or granular material toa localized area. in an attempt to overcome this shortcoming, preformedspouts have been applied over the outlet openings, the spouts beingmovable inwardly and outwardly between closure and dispensing positions.Where such conventional spouts have been required for use with materialsthat will react with metals, molded plastic forms have been employed. Inall such preformed spouts, it has been necessary to gain access to theinterior of the container in order to apply the device thereto, therebyrendering the assembly of the spout and container a relatively difiiculttask, special tools and special skills being frequently required. Wherea crimping or forcing action is necessary, either the material of thecontainer or the spout becomes mutilated, thereby exposing the contentsof the container to the atmosphere.

It is an important objective of this invention to provide a closurespout which will effectively perform its intended function without anyof the disadvantages hereinabove mentioned. In the accomplishment ofthis objective, I employ a prefabricated relatively flat device, made ofsome plastic material such as polyethylene, which can be quickly placedinto operative position over a conventionally die-cut outlet opening, bymeans of a simple manual operation, without any need to gain access tothe interior of the container, without the use of any special tools, andwithout mutilating either the container or the device itself.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a closure spout of thecategory above mentioned which will be securely locked in place, whichcan be readily manipulated between the open and closed positions by asimple operation, and which, during the opening operation, will befirmly secured in place against detachment by the very act of openingthe device for a pouring or sprinkling operation.

it is another object of my invention to provide a spout which willtightly fit over the outlet opening, thereby to protect the contents ofthe container.

Another object of my invention is to enable the same device, in oneaspect thereof, to serve the purposes both of a spout for permitting apouring out of the contents 2,88,894 Patented Apr. 1, 1958 of thecontainer, and of exposing a perforated portion for permitting thesprinkling of said contents.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a de vice that can bereadily molded on a mass production basis, and that can be economicallystored and shipped because of its generally fiat configuration.

It is my obiective to provide a low-cost article having the advantageshereinabove mentioned. Other objects, features and advantages willappear from the drawings and the description hereinafter given.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a container showing the closurespout, according to one embodiment of my invention, in its closedposition.

Figure 2 is afragmentary section of Fig. 1 taken along line 2-2.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view, substantially like I Figure 5 is afragmentary section of Fig. 3 taken alongv line 5-5.

Figure 6 is a section of Fig. 3 taken along line 6-6.. Figure 7 is afragmentary section of Fig. 1 taken alongv line 7-7.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the closure spout of the foregoing figures,shown in its fiat inoperative position- Figure 9 is a side view of Fig.8.

Figure 10 is a plan view of another embodiment of my invention shown inits flat inoperative position.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary plan view of a container adapted to receivethe closure spout of Fig. 10.

Figure 12 is a plan view of the container of Fig. 11 with the closurespout operatively in place in its closed position.

Figure 13 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary section of Fig. 12 takenalong line 13-13, the full lines showing the device in its fully closedposition, and the dot-dash lines showing the spout portion in its openposition.

Figure 14 is a view substantially like Fig. 13, but with the sprinklerclosure portion shown in its open position.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary plan view of a container with anothermodified form of my invention shown in its closed position.

Figure 16 is a section of Fig. 15 taken along line l616.

Figure 17 is a view like Fig. 16, but showing the sprinkler portion inits open position.

Figure 18 is another view like Fig. 16, but showing the spout portion inits open position.

Figure 19 is a plan view of Fig. 17.

Figure 20 is a plan view of a spout device in accordance with anotherform of my invention.

In the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9, the device inits inoperative condition consists of a fiat sheet 15 (Fig. 8) ofpreformed molded plastic material, such as polyethylene, the devicehaving flexible and bendable properties. In the form shown, thecomponents are a spout portion 16, two lateral retaining wings l7 and 18and an anchor portion 19 connected to the base 20 of the spout portion16. Substantially at the said base portion 2is a hinge portion 21, thelatter being recessed from the rear surface 22. of the device. The saidanchor portion 19 contains on the rear surface 23 thereof a plurality ofprotuberances 2d. The front surfaces 25 and 26 of said respective Wings117 and 13 contain the forwardly extending stop projections 27 and 28,respectively.

The container 29 to which the above-described closure spout 15 isapplied contains an apertured outlet portion 30 through which thecontents of the container are to be poured, said apertured portioncontaining a medial lip 30a positioned to underlie the apical portion ofspout component 16 (the shape of the apertured portion beingsubstantially like the corresponding portion shown in Fig. ll). Inmounting the member 15 upon container 2% the said wings 25 and 26 areinserted through said opening 39, and the anchor portion 19 pressedagainst the portion 31 of the container directly adjacent said aperture30, the said protuberances 24 being so positioned and proportioned as toenter, in a tight fit, the three correspondingly positioned andproportioned holes 32 in said container.

When the device is in its mounted and closed position, as illustrated inFigs. 1, 2, and 7, the spout portion 16 completely covers the opening at33 the wings 25 and 26 being positioned fully within the interior of thecontainer with their respective surfaces 25 and 25 in pressing yieldableengagement with the lateral edges 33 and 34 of apertured portion 30.Since the said protuberances 24 are also in frictional engagement withthe apertured portions 32 in the wall of the container 29, it isapparent that the entire device is firmly maintained in its closureposition.

When it is desired to bring the device into its open position, the edge35 at the apex of the spout portion 16 is pried away from the wall ofthe container by a finger or fingernail, and the spout portion moved toits open position illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, no further outwardmovement being possible when the stop projections 27 and 28 on therespective wings 17 and 18 come into engagement with the wall portions36 and 37 flanking the opening 3% of the container. The spout is now inits open or pouring position, the projecting portions of wings 25 and 26constituting the sides of the open spout, said sides extending tooutermost portion 35 over which the contents of the container are pouredoutwardly.

It is to be noted that the recessed hinge portion 21 permits a readyopening movement of the spout portion 36, as illustrated in Fig. 4. Itis further to be observed that the force applied to move said spoutportion 16 causes a pressure against the anchor portion 19 in thedirection of arrow A, whereby the device is firmly maintained in placeduring the pouring operation. That this action occurs is evident fromthe fact that the pivotal point is at 21, so that the openingcounterclockwise force in the direction of arrow B must produce acorresponding counterclockwise pressure in the direction of arrow A,about said pivotal point 21.

To return the device into its closed position, all that need be done isto apply pressure against the exposed front wall 38 of the spout portion16 toward the body of the container, whereupon the wings 17 and 1S slideinwardly and spout portion 16 is brought into its flat closure positionover the opening 30.

In the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. to 14, the device isadapted to selectively serve the purposes of pouring and sprinkling.This construction has the spout portion 52 and the sprinkler closureportion 53 pivotally connected, by the respective recessed hingeportions 54 and 55, to the intermediate anchor portion 56. Extendingfrom the lateral sides of spout portion 52 are the two wings 57 and 58,these having the forwardly positioned stop projections 59 and 60respectively. When this embodiment of my invention is operativelymounted upon the container 61, the spout member 52 is disposed over theoutlet aperture 62 when the device is in its closed position. The stopprotuberances 63 on sprinkler portion 53 are proportioned and positionedfor interlocking frictional engagement with the sprinkler apertures 64.It is further to be noted that the anchor portion 56 also has aplurality of projections 56a extending into and in frictional engagementwith the apertures 58b on said container 61.

When the spout portion 52 is operatively moved outwardly, it and thesaid wings 57 and 58 together form the spout trough. The outwardmovement of said portion 52 occurs about hinge portion 54 as an axis,whereby inward pressure against the container is eifected by thatportion of the device beyond hinge 54, that is, by anchor portion andsprinkler portion 55. When portion 53 is operatively opened, it swingsabout hinge 55 as an axis, thereby exposing the sprinkler openings at,and at the same time causing pressure to be exerted by the portion ofthe device on the other side of hinge 55 upon the adjacent container,that is, by anchor portion 56 and spent portion 52.

In the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 15 to 19, the device isalso adapted for both pouring and sprinkling, being somewhat like thestructure of Figs. 10 to 14, except that there is but a single hinge forthe spout and sprinkler portions. This embodiment comprises a spoutportion 39, two lateral wings 40 and 41, and a bottom sprinkler closureportion 42, the latter being joined to the spout portion 39 along thejuncture wall 43-recessed at 44, as in other forms above described, fromthe rear wall of the device. The sprinkler portion 42 contains on therear surface thereof the three protuberances 45, these being positionedand proportioned for a frictional fit with the sprinkler apertures 46 inthe container 47a to which the device is applied. The wings also have,in the manner above described, the forwardly disposed stop projections47 and 48 on the respective wings 40 and 41.

In its operatively mounted position, the said wings 40 and 41 extendthrough outlet opening 49 of the container into the interior thereof,said wings being in frictional engagement with the lateral edgesdefining the sides of said opening 49, as in the form first abovedescribed.

To open the device, the spout portion 39 is swung outwardly to theposition shown in Fig. 18, this movement occurring about the recessedhinge 44 as an axis; and when the spout is in its outermost openposition, the said projections 47 and 48 are in engagement with thewalls flanking said opening 49, whereby further outward movement isprevented. In this position the said sprinkler portion 42 is in pressingengagement with the wall portion 50 adjacent the apertured portion 49,inasmuch as the opening of spout portion 39 causes the pressure from theopening force to be transmitted to portion 42 through the commonjuncture Wall 43-both portions 39 and 42 being integral parts of thesame piece. The open spout consists of the outwardly extending Wings 49and 41 and the projecting forward portion of the spout member 39.

To close opening 49, the spout portion 39 is simply pushed rearwardlyuntil it is in flush engagement with the adjacent surface of thecontainer wall 47.

When it is desired to expose the sprinkler holes 46, all that need bedone is to pry the apical edge 51 of portion 42 forwardly away from thecontainer wall, to the position illustrated in Figs. 17 and 19, the saidsprinkler holes being now open, to permit the sprinkling of the contentsoutwardly therefrom, in the manner aforesaid. It is to be noted that theforward opening movement of sprinkler portion 42 causes a close pressingof the spout member 39 against the container.

It is thus apparent that in the various embodiments above described, arelatively simple and easily fabricated flexible plastic sheet canreadily be mounted in operable position upon a container, so that thepowdered or granulated contents thereof can either be sealed within thecontainer or permitted to be poured outwardly. No crimping methods orfasteners are necessary, and the entire device is firmly maintained inposition in either its open or closed position. And those embodiments ofmy invention shown in Figs. 10 to 19, which permit both pouring andsprinkling functions, are as readily fabricated and as readily mountedinto place as the form first above described. When any of theembodiments of my invention are in their operatively closed positions,they are flush against the wall of the container, and hence do notconstitute an undesirable impediment to handling or storage.

The form of my invention illustrated in Fig. 20 is substantially likethe form first above described, except that the spout portion 65 isdifferently shaped, being shown of substantially trapezoidconfiguration, the wings 66 and 67, and the anchor portion 68 servingthe functions of the corresponding parts in the other embodimentsdescribed.

In the above description, the invention has been dis closed merely byway of example and in preferred manner; but obviously many variationsand modifications may be made therein. For example, although speciallyshaped spout, wing, anchoring and closure portions have beenillustrated, various other configurations of such portions may beemployed within the scope of this invention. It is to be understood,therefore, that the invention is not limited to any specific form ormanner of practicing same, except insofar as such limitations arespecified in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a closure spout device for attachment to an apertured outletportion of a container, a front spout portion, two lateral retainingwings extending from the lateral sides of the spout portion and bendablerelative thereto, said wings having generally forwardly extending stopmeans proportioned and positioned for engagement with the walls of saidcontainer flanking said apertured outlet portion, and an anchor portionjoined to the base of said spout portion, said device having,substantially at the juncture of said spout and anchor portions, anindenture extending forwardly from the rear surface of the device,thereby providing a hinged connection between said spout and anchorportions, said anchor portion having rearwardly disposed projectingmeans adapted for frictional holding engagement with suitably positionedapertured means in said container, said wings being proportioned forentry within said apertured outlet portion of the container, said spoutportion being proportioned for overlying covering engagement with saidlast-mentioned apertured portion.

2. In a spout and sprinkler closure device for attachment to a containerhaving an apertured pouring portion and an adjacent perforatedsprinkling portion, a front spout portion proportioned for overlyingcovering engagement with said apertured pouring portion, a frontsprinkler closure portion proportioned for overlying covering engagementwith said perforated sprinkling portion, hinge connecting means betweensaid spout and sprinkler closure portions, whereby one may be hingedlymoved relative to the other, and securing means for attaching saiddevice to said container.

3. In a spout and sprinkler closure device for attachment to a containerhaving an apertured pouring portion and an adjacent perforatedsprinkling portion, a front spout portion proportioned for overlyingcovering engagement with said apertured pouring portion, a frontsprinkler closure portion proportioned for overlying covering engagementwith said perforated sprinkling portion, hinge connecting means betweensaid spout and sprinkler closure portions, whereby one may be hingedlymoved relative to the other, detachable securing means for attachingsaid device to said container, and two lateral retaining wings extendingfrom the lateral sides of the spout member and bendable relativethereto, said wings being proportioned for entry within said aperturedpouring portion of the container.

4. In a spout and sprinkler closure device for attachment to a containerhaving an apertured pouring portion and an adjacent perforatedsprinkling portion, a front spout portion proportioned for overlyingcovering engagement with said apertured pouring portion, a frontsprinkler closure portion proportioned for overlying covering engagementwith said perforated sprinkling portion and having a plurality ofrearwardly extending protuberances proportioned and positioned forinterengagement with the apertures in said perforated sprinkling portionof the container, and hinge connecting means between said spout andsprinkler closure portions, whereby one may be hingedly moved relativeto the other, and securing means for attaching said device to saidcontainer.

5. In a spout and sprinkler closure device for attachment to a containerhaving an apertured pouring portion and an adjacent perforatedsprinkling portion, a front spout portion proportioned for overlyingcovering engagement with said apertured pouring portion, a frontsprinkler closure portion proportioned for overlying covering engagementwith said perforated sprinkling portion, hinge connecting means betweensaid spout and sprinkler closure portions, whereby one may be hingedlymoved relative to the other, detachable securing means for attachingsaid device to said container, and two lateral retaining wings extendingfrom the lateral sides of the spout member and bendable relativethereto, said wings being proportioned for entry within said aperturedpouring portion of the container, said wings having generally forwardlyextending stop means proportioned and positioned for engagement with thewalls of said container flanking said apertured pouring portion.

6. In a spout and sprinkler closure device for attachment to a containerhaving an apertured pouring portion and an adjacent perforatedsprinkling portion, a front spout portion proportioned for overlyingcovering engagement with said apertured pouring portion, a frontsprinkler closure portion proportioned for overlying covering engagementwith said perforated sprinkling portion and having a plurality ofrearwardly extending protuberances proportioned and positioned forinterengagement with the apertures in said perforated sprinkling portionof the container, hinge connecting means between said spout andsprinkler closure portions, whereby one may be hingedly moved relativeto the other, and two lateral retaining wings extending from the lateralsides of the spout member and bendable relative thereto, said wingsbeing proportioned for entry within said apertured pouring portion ofthe container and having generally forwardly extending stop meansproportioned and positioned for engagement with the walls of saidcontainer flanking said apertured pouring portion.

7. In a spout and sprinkler closure device for attachment to a containerhaving an apertured pouring portion and an adjacent perforatedsprinkling portion, a front spout portion proportioned for overlyingcovering engagement with said apertured pouring portion, a frontsprinkler closure portion proportioned for overlying covering engagementwith said perforated sprinkling portion and hinge connecting meansbetween said spout and sprinkler closure portions, whereby one may behingedly moved relative to the other, said connecting means comprisingan anchor portion having thereon rearwardly disposed projecting meansadapted for frictional holding engagement with suitably positionedapertured means in said container.

8. The combination of a container and closure spout device, saidcontainer having an apertured outlet portion, said spout device having aforwardly disposed wall, two lateral retaining wings extending from thelateral sides of said wall and bendable relative thereto, and an anchorportion pivotally connected to the base of said forwardly disposed spoutwall, said anchor portion being mounted on said container, said wall andsaid wings being operatively movable between two limiting positions, onebeing an open position with said wall spaced from said apertured outletportion, and the other being a closed position in overlying engagementwith said apertured portion, said Wall being positioned and proportionedfor covering engagement with said apertured portion when the wall is inits said closed limiting position, said wings extending through saidapertured outlet portion, said container having perforated means inspaced relation to said apertured outlet portion, said anchor portionhaving rear- Wardly disposed projecting means in frictional engagementwith said perforated means for frictionally retaining said device inplace.

9. The combination of a container and a spout and sprinkler closuredevice, said container having an apertured pouring portion and adjacentthereto a perforated sprinkling portion, said device comprising a spoutportion having a forwardly disposed wall, two lateral retaining wingsextending from the lateral sides of said wall and bendable relativethereto, a sprinkler closure portion hingedly connected to the base ofsaid spout portion, attaching means securing the device to thecontainer, said spout portion being operatively movable between twolimiting positions, one being an open position with said forward wallspaced from said pouring apertured portion, and the other being a closedposition in overlying engagement with said pouring portion, said wallbeing positioned and proportioned for covering engagement with saidapertured portion when the spout portion is in its said closed limitingposition, said wings extending through said apertured outlet portion,said sprinkler closure portion being operatively movable against saidperforated sprinkling portion and away therefrom, said latter closureportion being proportioned for overlying covering engagement with saidperforated sprinkling portion when in engagement therewith.

10. The combination of a container and a spout and sprinkler closuredevice according to claim 9, said sprinkler closure portion havingthereon a plurality of rearwardly extending protuberances proportionedand positioned for interengagement with said perforated sprinklingportion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS LewinMay 29, 1934 Klausmann J an. 22, 1957

